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Apple pie caramel apples from Disneyland are my new favorite treat! Now you can bring the magic to your kitchen with this easy recipe!
One of my favorite things to do at Disney parks is watch in the windows of the bakeries when they are making their treats. Especially when they dip the caramel apples and make them into Mickey shapes. I can never resist picking one up.
Apple pie caramel apples are a must-have when they are available at Disneyland! Creamy caramel, tart apples, and a cinnamon graham cracker crust, the combination is perfection! Plus they are so cute to look at! It doesn’t take long to make them and they are easier than you think. These gourmet caramel apples are a hit at any birthday party, Halloween bash, or just a fun weekend treat!
Like many of Disneyland’s food options, Disney apple pie caramel apples, are known for their deliciousness due to several factors. The flavors of apple pie and caramel are both comforting and nostalgic. They remind me of homemade desserts or childhood treats, enhancing their overall enjoyment. Plus the texture and flavor combination of crunchy bites with the sweet and tart apple elevates your tastebuds!
Ingredients in Apple Pie Caramel Apples
Apple pie caramel apples are considered delicious because they bring together a blend of sweet, tart, and spicy flavors, along with a pleasing mix of textures. They are a delightful treat for those who enjoy the combination of apple pie and caramel together. We love how simple the ingredients are and how easy it is to make!
- Apples – Tart Granny Smith apples are cleaned and washed removing the wax film layer overtop the apples. This will help the caramel attach to it more easily and stick to it rather than slipping off.
- Caramels – Melt the caramels together for a homemade caramel sauce. These caramel apple pie apples are dipped into the caramel for a golden brown caramel color.
- Cinnamon graham crackers – These are sometimes harder to find but are a real hit with these apple pie caramel apples. You can also use regular graham crackers and use a food processor to crumble them. Add a dash of cinnamon to the mixture for the sweet and spicy flavor of apple pies.
- Chocolate chips – Melting chocolates or chocolate chips for the outside layer of the caramel apples.
- Cinnamon and sugar – The cinnamon sugar mixture is used for the outside like an outfit for the Disney caramel apples. It also gives the apple the apple pie flavor with the caramel chocolate.
- Marshmallows – Large marshmallows are used for the ears on the Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse caramel apples.
How to Make the Best Disney Caramel Apples
The visual appeal of apple pie caramel apples, with their shiny caramel coating and often elaborate decorations, can make them even more enticing and enjoyable.
- Prepare apples – Scrub apples and dry them with a dishcloth or paper towel. This is to get the wax coating off.
- Caramel – Melt caramel in the microwave, in a microwave-safe dish, for 30 seconds at a time until the caramel is nice and melted, or follow the directions on the package if using the Bits. If you are using unwrapped caramels, you can also put the caramels in a small crock pot on high heat until melted.
- Popsicle sticks – Place caramel apple sticks or popsicle sticks into the top of each apple and dip apples into the caramel until fully coated, rotating the apple as needed. Let excess caramel drip off and then place it on wax or parchment paper on a baking sheet. Refrigerate for at least 2 to 3 hours until caramel is completely cooled onto the apples.
- Food processor – In a food processor, process graham crackers for the bottom of the apple until well blended. This is known as the pie crust. If doing a pie crust, add a little cinnamon and sugar to the mixture. Place in a bowl and set aside.
- Melt chocolate in a microwave – Use a safe dish in the microwave until the chocolate is just melted and there are no lumps. Dip each apple in the chocolate and allow the chocolate to set up for a few seconds. When the chocolate has set a little, roll the bottom half in processed graham cracker crumbs or crust. Sprinkle the entire apple with cinnamon and sugar and set aside.
- Making Mickey: Once the chocolate has set on the top of the apple. Roll each marshmallow in the chocolate and place it on the apples to make “ears”. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar and hold in place until set.
Tips for Perfect Apple Pie Caramel Apples
Some versions of apple pie caramel apples include additional toppings, such as chopped nuts, crushed graham crackers, or chocolate drizzle, which can enhance the flavor and texture profile. Making sure you have the right caramel is a MUST! Use these helpful tips for the best apple pie caramel apple recipe!
- Good caramel – First of all, you need to get good caramel. After trying a few cheaper varieties, I found Kraft caramel bits. They melt smoothly and you don’t have to spend an hour unwrapping caramels. If your caramel is too thick, you can add a little heavy cream to thin it down.
- Melting caramel – You can melt your caramels in a variety of ways: You can microwave them, double boil them with hot water in a medium saucepan with the caramels in a bowl over the top, or you can melt them in a crockpot. However you cook them, be sure to stir frequently with a wooden spoon.
- Melting chocolate – You can either go with melted white chocolate chips or white chocolate melts. The melting chocolates seem to get harder and chip off a little more, but it all does taste the same.
- Crust on apples – For the “crust,” you can either use cinnamon-flavored graham crackers or vanilla wafers, or you can get an actual pre-made pie crust, and add a little cinnamon and sugar and process it in a food processor.
- Cutting apples – When ready to eat, it is easiest to remove the center of each apple and cut into apple slices. Use a sharp knife to have crisp cuts. It can sometimes be tricky to cut through the chocolate and caramel layers.
Frequently Asked Questions
The problem is that you need to get the wax coating off the apples. Scrub apples with water and dry thoroughly. If you REALLY want to get the wax off, drop them in boiling water for a few seconds and wipe them dry. Then, refrigerate the apples so that they are cold before dipping.
It is best to use a tart crisp apple to balance the sweetness of the caramel. Granny Smith is usually the best, but other tart apples you could use are Pink Lady, Braeburn, McIntosh, Jonathan, Empire, and Cortland apples.
Caramel apples are dipped in caramel and can have candies, nuts, or other combinations of caramel apples and add-ons whereas candied apples have a crunchy candy coating. We have an amazing recipe for Candied Apples if you want to give those a try!
Unfortunately, apples do not hold up well in the freezer. They will crack and even alter the taste of the ingredients. The Disney apple pie caramel apples are best eaten the day of or the next day.
Read Next: Our Favorite Foods at Disneyland
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More Favorite Disney Treats
Aside from the rides and the general magical atmosphere, my favorite thing about Disney is all the yummy treats! Try a few of our copycat recipes and make these delicious refreshments at home!
Disney Apple Pie Caramel Apples
Ingredients
- 4 caramel apple sticks or popsicle sticks
- 4 large Granny Smith apples, washed and chilled
- 5 cups caramels, unwrapped, or about 1 bag of Kraft Caramel Bits
- 7 cinnamon graham crackers (or 1 prepared graham cracker pie crust)
- 1 ½ pounds melting chocolates or chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ⅛ ground cinnamon
- 8 large marshmallows for Mickey's ears (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare a plate or tray by covering it with a sheet of waxed paper. Place a stick in the top of each apple. Set asied.
- If using unwrapped caramel squares, place them in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the caramel is nice and melted. You can also put the caramels in a small slow cooker on high heat and cook until melted. If using the Bits, follow the directions on the package.
- Dip each apple into the caramel, rotating as needed, until fully coated. Let excess caramel drip off, then place the apples on the waxed paper. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, until caramel is completely cooled.
- While apples chill, prepare graham crackers, chocolate, and cinnamon sugar. In a food processor, process graham crackers or pie crust until well blended. Place crushed crackers in a bowl and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a microwave-safe dish, microwave chocolate in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is just melted and there are no lumps. Set aside.
- Once the caramel has cooled, dip each apple in the chocolate, rotating as needed, until fully coated. Allow the chocolate to set up for a few seconds.
- When the chocolate has set a little, roll the bottom half in processed graham cracker crumbs. Sprinkle the entire apple with cinnamon sugar and set aside on the tray on the counter to cool, for about 10 minutes. The chocolate will be set when it's no longer shiny.
- Once the chocolate on the apples has set, cut each marshmallow in half. Roll each marshmallow half in the chocolate and place it on the apples to make Mickey's ears. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar and hold in place until set.
Video
Notes
- Don’t skip on the washing and refrigerating of the apples before dipping! Washing gets the wax coating from the food companies off. If you really want to get the wax off, drop the apples in boiling water for a few seconds and wipe dry; otherwise, just rinse and wipe with a dishcloth or paper towel. Then chill the apples in the refrigerator. This will really help the caramel to stick to the apples.
- You can use a prepared graham cracker pie crust in place of the graham crackers. Process it in the food processor the same way and add some extra cinnamon and sugar (about ½ teaspoon each) to the crumbs.
- Refrigerate the apples when setting up the caramel, but let the chocolate set up at room temperature.
Are the calories listed here per 1 apple or per serving for 4 apples?
Technically the nutrition facts are for one apple but they aren’t 100% accurate since you don’t quite use up all the ingredients for 4 apples. With these kind of recipes it’s hard to calculate because you can’t really measure exactly how much goes on each apple.
These look delicious and I can’t wait to try them for our next bake sale…just wondering how long they keep for?
They last up to 3 weeks in the fridge!
So the caramel goes on and THEN chocolate? Just verifying that it is both. Thanks!
Yes! That is correct!
These are too cute and not kitschy. Love it! So pretty for kids but adults like me too.
These are so great! My kids are going to love these!
I really wished I had tried these on our last trip! So glad I can make them at home!
Another reason to love Disneyland! Going this fall; but I am glad I can make these now! Delish!
These are so cute! My Disney loving niece is going to flip!
What? Favored over churros? Gonna have to try these! (I’m also seriously considering a trip to Disneyland, thanks to you! Ha ha)
haha We hope you go! Disneyland is the best 😀 If you go, use our coupon code to get some $$ off your trip (from GetAwayToday)! I am sure you will save enough to splurge on these AND churros 😉
This looks super cute! Look exactly like the ones in Disneyland!
Pssst… I used to work at WDW in a confectionary location- if you really want them to taste like Disney apple’s use a Peter’s Caramel loaf! It’s a bit on the pricer side (around $25 on Amazon) but the ENTIRE loaf makes at least 2 dozen apples so if you don’t need to use the entire loaf vacuum seal it and save it for another batch!
Thank you for this tip!!